dearborn



Feb. 17,y 1931. c. H. DEARBORN AIR CLEANER FOR CRANK CASE VENTILATION Filed Sept. 22, 1927 Q y w Patented Feb. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE x CLINTON H. DEARBORN, OF HAMPTON, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO A C SPARK PLUG v COMPANY, 0F FLINT, MICHIGAN, A COMPANY OF MICHIGAN AIR CLEANER FOR CRANE-CASE VENTILATION Application led September 22, 1927. Serial No. 221,302.

The present invention relates to internal combustion engines and more particularly to an air filter used with the inlet opening inthe engine crankcase.

It is an object of this invention to provide an air cleaner for use with the filler pipe in t-he engine crankcase. It is a further object kof this invention to provide such a cleaner that will effectively clean the air entering for ventilation of the crankcase and yet which will not interfere with the normal use of ller opening.

Other objects and advantages of the 1nvention will appear in the course of the f ollowing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1` is a side elevation showing the arrangement of my improved air lter on a conventional internal combustion en ine.

Figure 2 is an enlarged lon 'tud1nal section through the filter and oil lnlet.

.Figure 3 is a front view of the perforated cover for the lter.

'Referring to the drawing, the numeral 10 indicates a conventional internal combustion engine in the side of the crankcase of which is the oil filler pipe 12. Stamping 14 is fixed about the mouth of the filler pipe by any usual means and is formed on its forward side to provide a bearingl16 for a pivot pin 18 on which is hinged the filter cap 20.

'Dhe filter cap 20 is provided intermediate its ends with a perforated disk 22 and is provided on its rear end with the perforated cover disk 24 which is crimped about the flanged rim 26 of the cap 20 asfillustrated. Between the two disks isthe filtering material 28 which may be of anrdesired fibrous material such as steel wool. lange 32 1s provided on the filter cap 20 and fits about the gasket 30 which rests on the rim of. the p1pe 12 and on the stamping 14. A spring latch 34 lis xed to the under side of the filter cap 20 and is adapted to slide over the stamping 14: 'and 'hold the cap rmly m pos1t1on to clo the filler ipe. ,v

Istat the use of the device the filter cap 20 functions just the same as any other cap would and maybe swung to open or close the entrance to the pipe 12. Duringoperation of the engine, the cap 20 functions as a breather and dust particles passing through the filter cap 2O arc-removed by the filtering material 28.

I claim:

1. The combination of a crankcase provided with an oil filler opening, a pivoted closure for said opening, said closure being apertured for the admission of air to the crankcase when the closure is in closed posi tion, and a body of filtering material in said closure for cleaning the a1r passing therethrough to the crankcase.

2. The combination with a crankcase4 pro vided with an oil filler tube, a fitting therefor, comprising a member adapted to be secured to the tube, a tubular casing pivoted to said member, means carried by said casing for engaging the member to hold it in closed position, and a filtering medium in said tube for cleaning air passing therethrough to the crankcase.

- 3. In the combination as defined in claim 2, said member being provided with an enlarged outer portion for receiving a" gasket to be engaged by the adjacent end of thecasing when the latter is in closed position.

' 4. In the combination as defined in claim 2, said casing being provided with spaced apertured members between which said filtering medium is confined.

5. The combination of a crankcase provided with an oil filler tube, a tubular member pivoted to the tube, means for detachably securing the member in closed position, a pair of spaced apertured members in the outer end of the tubular member and a body of filtering material between the spaced members for filtering the air passing into the crankcase.

6. The combination of a 'crankcase provided with an oil filler tube, a tubular mem` ber pivoted to the `tube, means for detachably securing the member in closed position, an apertured plate crimped over 4the outer end of the tube, a foraminous 'member secured and a body of filteringy material between the members for filtering the air pasing into the crankcase.

7. A fitting for the oil filler tube of an engine crankcase comprising an annular member adapted to encircle the oil filler tube and provided at one end with a flange serving :1s a gasket seat and with a hinge member, a gasket on the seat, a tubular member pivoted to the hinge member and provided with a flange adapted to engage the gasket, means for detachably connecting the tubular member and the annular member in sealing relation, and a body of ltering material secured within the tubular member and adapted to filter the air passing into the crankcase.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

CLINTON H. DEARBORN. 

